Annette Funicello Personal Property 1965 Wedding Reception Beverly Hilton Bride

Description

Annette Funicello Personal Property 1965 Wedding Reception Beverly Hilton Bride
Annette Funicello Personal Property 1965 Wedding Reception Beverly Hilton Bride
THE ANNETTE FUNICELLO COLLECTION: The Personal Property of Annette Funicello
Authorized and Authenticated by the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases
Item:
Annette's personally owned 8" x 10" vintage semi-gloss COLOR wedding photograph
Date:
January 9, 1965
Description:
This rare image features Annette in the reception line at the Beverly Hilton Hotel's grand ballroom.
Annette is pictured
in her custom-designed gown by Academy Award winning costume designer, Bill Thomas. According to Disney publicist Arlene Ludwig (another of Annette's bridesmaids), the sleeves on Annette's dress were clasped at the cuff by hooks once worn by screen legend Marlene Dietrich... and the crystal drops on her lace train (removed for the reception) were once worn by Elizabeth Taylor.  Bill Thomas was nominated by the Motion Picture Academy for a total of ten times... including his Oscar for "Spartacus" (1960) starring Kirk Douglas.  In addition, Thomas designed the wedding gown that Annette wore for her starring role in Walt Disney's "Babes in Toyland" (1961).
Annette would marry Jack Gilardi that day and comic illustrator Charles Schulz drew a daily "Peanuts" comic featuring Linus as he expressed the feelings of the entire nation:  "I can't stand it!  This is Terrible! How depressing... ANNETTE FUNICELLO HAS GROWN UP!"
Following the ceremony, their formal dinner dance and reception was held in the grand ballroom at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills (the ballroom is now referenced as the International Ballroom... home to the annual Golden Globe Awards).
Wedding photographer is not indicated; printed on professional double weight photo paper ("A Kodak Paper").  Research Fund watermark is not present on actual photograph.  Includes original copyright stamp indicating c. MCMLXV Walt Disney Productions, World Rights Reserved.  Noted as Disney Photo Archive # 165-C-518.
The white French Chantilly lace dress covers a beautiful satin bodice... worthy of the most celebrated princess of the historic Walt Disney Studio.
Among the most desirable 1965 color wedding photographs in Annette's personal photo collection.
Condition:
Excellent; printed on double-weight professional studio paper
Provenance:
As found in Annette's personal photo archives
Includes Certificate of Authenticity from The Annette Funicello Research Fund
About Us
The Annette Funicello Stage
Annette Funicello and Glen Holt were married on May 3, 1986 and together in 1993 they founded the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases for the purpose of researching the cause, the treatment and the cure for Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological diseases.
As Annette's disease progressed, she and Glen had redoubled their efforts to fund the critical research that is needed to fight all neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, the disease that Annette had so valiantly fought for more than two decades. Their relentless struggle against the disease served as an inspiration that can motivate Annette's friends and fans to participate in providing the financial support that this ongoing research requires. Perhaps Glen said it best: "I want to touch their hearts so they will go out there and help us raise some money. I am going to fulfill her wish to help find a cause and a cure."
Glen faithfully cared for Annette until her passing on April 8, 2013. After Glen's passing on February 12, 2018, the Research Fund's Board of Directors stepped forward to carry on the work begun by Annette and Glen more than a quarter-century ago.
In support of Annette's final wishes, 100% of the proceeds from her personal property will be used to support the continuing work of the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases.
The Annette Funicello Research Fund is honored with the generosity of The Walt Disney Company in re-naming the Walt Disney Studio's historic Stage 1 sound stage on June 24, 2013, forever more to be known as "The Annette Funicello Stage."
Company president Robert Iger shared these personal thoughts in remembering Annette Funicello:
"Annette was and always will be a cherished member of the Disney family, synonymous with the word Mouseketeer, and a true Disney Legend. She will forever hold a place in our hearts as one of Walt Disney's brightest stars, delighting an entire generation of baby boomers with her jubilant personality and endless talent. Annette was well known for being as beautiful inside as she was on the outside, and she faced her physical challenges with dignity, bravery and grace. All of us at Disney join with family, friends and fans around the world in celebrating her extraordinary life.